Asymmetry Questionnaire

Abstract

The Asymmetry Questionnaire (AQ) is a specialized self-report instrument designed to measure individual differences in cognitive style associated with the theoretical concept of cerebral lateralization, often popularized as “right brain” or “left brain” orientation. Developed primarily by B. E. Morton, the scale presents paired statements covering various behavioral, emotional, and cognitive preferences that align with distinct hemispheric processing modes. Validation studies have demonstrated that the AQ outcomes correlate significantly with objective, non-self-report measures of hemisphericity, such as performance on dichotic listening tasks and specific motor asymmetry tests. This correlation establishes the AQ as a useful tool for quantifying perceived cognitive asymmetry in research settings.

Keywords

Hemisphericity, Cerebral Asymmetry, Cognitive Style, Lateralization, Self-report, Dichotic Listening, Psychological Scale, Morton.

Authors

B. E. Morton

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Asymmetry Questionnaire is to quantify the extent to which an individual exhibits cognitive and behavioral preferences traditionally associated with either the left cerebral hemisphere (typically analytic and verbal) or the right cerebral hemisphere (typically holistic and emotional). It serves as a rapid, accessible screening tool in research focused on the relationship between brain function and personality or cognitive performance.

By forcing respondents to choose between two contrasting behavioral statements (Statement A and Statement B), the questionnaire aims to operationalize the continuum of cognitive processing styles, allowing researchers to categorize participants based on their dominant hemispheric orientation (i.e., left-dominant, right-dominant, or integrated/ambidextrous).

Construct

The scale measures the construct of Cerebral Hemisphericity. This theoretical construct suggests that individuals exhibit stable preferences for cognitive strategies that rely disproportionately on one hemisphere over the other. Statement A items generally reflect characteristics associated with the right hemisphere (e.g., synthetic thinking, emotional focus, holistic perspective), while Statement B items reflect characteristics associated with the left hemisphere (e.g., analytic thinking, reductionistic breakdown, verbal minimization).

The construct is rooted in neurobiological findings regarding functional specialization, but the questionnaire translates these specializations into observable, everyday behavioral and perceptual tendencies. This allows for a measure of individual cognitive style that complements objective physiological measures of dichotic listening or manual dexterity asymmetry.

Validity

The validity of the Asymmetry Questionnaire is supported primarily through concurrent validity, demonstrated by its correlation with established, objective measures of cerebral asymmetry. Research by Morton (2002, 2003) confirmed that AQ scores correlate positively and significantly with outcomes from several independent hemisphericity measures.

• Dichotic Listening Tasks: AQ results showed correlation with performance on dichotic listening tests, where auditory input is presented simultaneously to both ears to assess language processing lateralization.
• Motor Asymmetry Tasks: Correlations were found with outcomes of tasks like phased mirror tracing and two-hand line-bisection, which are sensitive indicators of motor control lateralization.

These correlations suggest that the self-report scale successfully captures aspects of cognitive and neurological asymmetry observable through objective experimental methods.

Reliability

While the provided abstracts focus heavily on concurrent validity, the repeated use of the scale across multiple validation studies by Morton suggests acceptable stability and internal consistency. The paired-statement format inherently attempts to create balanced contrasts, contributing to the internal coherence of the two purported factors (Left vs. Right orientation). Further psychometric studies would be required to fully detail test-retest reliability and specific internal consistency indices (e.g., Cronbach’s alpha) across diverse samples.

Factor Analysis

The Asymmetry Questionnaire is implicitly structured around a two-factor model corresponding to the hypothesized left-brain and right-brain cognitive styles. Statement A items load onto one factor (Right-Brain/Synthetic/Emotional focus), and Statement B items load onto the contrasting factor (Left-Brain/Analytic/Reductionistic focus). Although detailed factor loadings or eigenvalue data are not provided in the source material, the design inherently supports the measurement of these two orthogonal dimensions of cognitive processing style.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report Psychometric Inventory

Format: Forced-choice response (True or False) to 15 pairs of contrasting statements (30 items total).

Language Available: English (Original)

Population Group: General Adult Population

Age Group: Adults (Typically used with college-age or older participants in research)

Population Details: Developed for use in studies investigating the relationship between cognitive asymmetry and behavioral traits.

Test Methodology: Respondents indicate which of the two contrasting statements (A or B) best describes their typical behavior, belief, or preference. Scoring involves tallying the number of A responses (Right Hemisphere) and B responses (Left Hemisphere) to determine the dominant orientation.

Keywords

Psychological Measurement, Laterality, Cognitive Preference, Bruce E. Morton, Hemispheric Specialization, Brain and Cognition.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not Provided

Affiliation Email addresses: Not Provided

Correspondence Address: Not Provided

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The scale was first documented and validated in major academic publications starting around 2001–2003. The instrument appears to be freely available for academic and research purposes, as evidenced by its availability online via academic networking sites. Researchers interested in commercial use or modifications should contact the primary author, B. E. Morton, for specific permissions.

Reference’s

• Morton, B. E. (2001). Large individual differences in minor ear output during dichotic listening. Brain and Cognition, 45, 229–237.
• Morton, Burce. E. (2002). Outcomes of Hemisphericity Questionnaires Correlate with Unilateral Dichotic Deafness. Brain and Cognition 49, 63–72.
• Morton, B. E. (2003). Phased mirror tracing outcomes correlate with several hemisphericity measures. Brain and Cognition, 51.
• Morton, B. E. (2003). Two-hand, line-bisection task outcomes correlate with several measures of hemisphericity. Brain and Cognition, 51.
• Morton, Burce. E. (2003). Asymmetry questionnaire outcomes correlate with several hemisphericity measures. Brain and Cognition 51 (2003) 372–374.

Items of the Asymmetry questionnaire

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

Right or left brain-oriented? The asymmetry Questionnaire

Statement A

1. I often talk about my and others feelings of emotion.
2. I am good at finishing projects.
3. I organize parts into the whole (synthetic‚creative).
4. I am quick-acting in emergency.
5. I think and listen interactively-vocally‚and talk a lot.
6. I don’t read other peoples mind very well.
7. I see the big picture(project data beyond‚can predict).
8. I tend to be independent‚ hidden‚private‚ and indirect.
9. I usually design original outfits of clothing.
10. I need to be alone and quiet when upset.
11. I praise others‚ and also work for praise from others
12. I’m more interested in objects and things.
13. I seek frank feedback from others.
14. I often feel my mate talks too much.
15. I’m strict; my kids obey me and work for my approval.

Statement B

1. I tend to avoid talking about emotional feelings.
2. I am a strong starter of projects.
3. I break the whole into parts (reductive-reductionistic)
4. I methodically solve problems by process of elimination
5. I think and listen quietly‚ keep my talk to a minimum
6. I am very good at knowing what others are thinking
7. I am analytical (stay within the limits of the data).
8. I tend to be interdependent‚ open‚public‚ and direct.
9. I dress for success and wear high status clothing.
10. I need closeness and to talk things out when upset.
11. I do not praise others‚ nor need the praise of others.
12. I tend to be more interested in people and feelings.
13. I avoid seeking evaluation by others.
14. I feel my mate doesn’t talk or listen to me enough.
15. I’m not a strict parent‚ my kids don’t obey me well.

True or False